Rumi's Masnavi - The melting (wasting) away of lovers is (the cause of their spiritual) growth: like the moon, he (the lover) hath a fresh (shining) face whilst he is melting away.

The melting (wasting) away of lovers is (the cause of their spiritual) growth: like the moon, he (the lover) hath a fresh (shining) face whilst he is melting away.

آن گداز عاشقان باشد نمو ** هم‌چو مه اندر گدازش تازه‌رو

All the sick hope to be cured, but this sick one sobs, crying, “Increase my sickness!

جمله رنجوران دوا دارند امید ** نالد این رنجور کم افزون کنید

I have found no drink sweeter than this poison: no state of health can be sweeter than this disease.

خوش‌تر از این سم ندیدم شربتی ** زین مرض خوش‌تر نباشد صحتی

No act of piety can be better than this sin: years in comparison with this moment are (but) an hour.” 4600

زین گنه بهتر نباشد طاعتی ** سالها نسبت بدین دم ساعتی

In this fashion he remained with this King for a long while, his heart (roasted like) kabáb and his soul laid on the tray (of self-devotion).

مدتی بد پیش این شه زین نسق ** دل کباب و جان نهاده بر طبق

He said, “The King beheads every one once, (but) I am sacrificed anew by the King at every instant.

گفت شه از هر کسی یک سر برید ** من ز شه هر لحظه قربانم جدید

I am poor in gold, but rich in heads (lives): my head (life) hath a hundred heads to take its place.

من فقیرم از زر از سر محتشم ** صد هزاران سر خلف دارد سرم

No one can run in (the path of) Love with two feet: no one can play (the game of) Love with one head;

با دو پا در عشق نتوان تاختن ** با یکی سر عشق نتوان باختن

Yet every one has two feet and one head: the body with thousands of feet and heads is a rarity.” 4605

هر کسی را خود دو پا و یک‌سرست ** با هزاران پا و سر تن نادرست

On this account all (other) combats are (fought) in vain, (while) this combat (of Love) grows hotter every moment.

زین سبب هنگامه‌ها شد کل هدر ** هست این هنگامه هر دم گرم‌تر